Billy Joe Saunders suspended following video advising men ‘how to hit women’

Billy Joe Saunders has been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control over a video in which he “advised” men “how to hit” their female partners during the coronavirus lockdown.

Footage emerged showing the WBO super middleweight world champion hitting a punchbag while talking about how to react if “your old woman is giving you mouth” and “she’s coming at you, spitting a bit of venom in your face”. Saunders then described how to “hit her on the chin” and “finish her off”.

A statement released by the BBBoC read: ”The British Boxing Board of Control having considered comments made by Billy Joe Saunders on social media have suspended his boxer’s licence pending a hearing under the board’s misconduct regulation, at a time and venue to be confirmed as soon as possible.”

Saunders issued an apology for “offending any women” after a fierce backlash on social media, writing that he “would never condone domestic violence and if I saw a man touch a woman I would smash him to pieces myself”.

The 30-year-old, who was close to agreeing a multi-million-pound bout against Canelo Alvarez in May before the coronavirus pandemic, was previously fined £100,000 by the British Board of Boxing Control after video footage emerged of him offering a woman drugs in October 2018.

A video appeared to show Saunders offering £150 worth of drugs to the woman to perform a sex act, as well as asking her to punch a passer-by, which she did, before driving away.

He was also recently criticised after calling an airline alleging concerns over a potential coronavirus infection, which caused his coach Ben Davison and fellow world champion Josh Taylor to be removed from the flight.

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